Lecture 2 By: Sumbal Gilani MSc,.

PGDCP (Psych, Pesh)

METHODS OF PSYHOLOGY Observation Case History Survey Interview Experimentation

Base of Psychology: Science-----a body of knowledge based on objective observation and systematic testing. Theory-----reason or supposition put forward to explain any event or phenomena.

1. General Method-----in everyday life a laymans sources of knowledge are his, a) Common sense b) Deductive thinking means putting two and two together. c) Inductive thinking means generating new ideas..

2. Scientific Method-----it comprises of following ways of gathering information: Observation-----identification of problem. Theory-----to assume or suppose possible solution. Literature review-----going through past documentations on this topic or problem. Hypothesis-----a predicted solution. Testing-----sampling, questionnaire and data collection. Results.

Qualities of Science: Accuracy-----careful, precise, and error free data. Objectivity-----refers to data that is free of bias and doubt. Skepticism-----is an attitude doubting all claims that are not supported by solid research evidence.

 It

means to examine or to see something clearly, in depth and detail.

Types of observation: 1) Participant Observation-----introspection. 2) Naturalistic Observation-----It has the following sub-types:

a) b) c)

Field Study Day Book Method Biographical Method

Weaknesses: 1) It might differ from one person to another as all people dont react in the same way in same situations. 2) It can have an impact on the behavior of those being observed. 3) It is a time consuming technique. 4) It does not help the observer to determine the causes of the behaviors.

Strengths: 1) It gives us the most detailed accounts of the actins and reactions of individuals. 2) It is helpful in studying animal behaviors as well as the behavior of infants and toddlers.

 It

is also known as the Case Study Method. It is an in-depth study of a person to get knowledge about psychological phenomenon.
was initiated by Sigmund Freud.

It

Weaknesses: 1) It cant establish cause-effect relationships between behaviors and reactions.

2)

Rapport needs to be established while interacting with people. Results cant be generalized for everyone.

3)

Strengths: 1) It gives us a vast and rich knowledge.

2)

It gives rise to and promotes clinical innovation.

 It

is a method in which an investigator manipulates one or more factors within a situation and measures the subsequent changes in other factors.

Structure of an Experiment: 1) Independent Variable (cause)

2)

Dependent Variable (effect)

Extraneous Variable

3)

Conditions of an Experiment: 1) Experimental Group------the group that is exposed to the experimental conditions and is made to go through the experimental plan.

2)

Control group-----neutral group used to provide a comparison group, not fully exposed to the experimental conditions.

The Experimental Method: 1) Determine the type of research:

Causal Descriptive Relational

2) A Hypothesis 3) A theory 4) Operational Definitions 5) A Sample 6) Data Collection 7) Interpretation 8) Theory

Weaknesses: 1) This method cant be applied to large number of people.

2)

The behavior of participants is always affected. Children cannot be exposed to every kind of experimental environment.

3)

Strengths: 1) It helps us to establish the cause-effect relationships between behaviors.

2)

It gives us a better and systematic understanding of behaviors.

 It

is a set of questions related to a particular topic of interest administered through an interview or questionnaire.

Survey

is used to gather publics opinion or information about individuals.

Types of Survey Data Collections Methods: 1) Interviews 2) Questionnaires 3) Mail 4) Telephones 5) Online 6) At-home Interviews

Weaknesses: 1) Subjects can feign their responses easily for social desirability.

2)

People may say what they think we want to hear. Poor construction of survey questionnaires gives bad answers.

3)

Strengths: 1) It can help gather large amount of information in a relatively short time.

2)

It is not a very expensive method. It can be created quickly and administered rather easily.

3)

 An

interview is a conversation with a purpose.

The interviewer in a one-to-one conversation collects detailed personal information from individuals using oral questions.

Types of interviews: 1. Structured Interview-----it is comprised of a pre-planned questionnaire. It has the following sub-types: a) Semi-structures Interviews b) Clinical Interview

 2.

Unstructured Interview-----it comprises unplanned spontaneous questions, and is more responsive to the participant.

Weaknesses: Structured Interview 1) Restrictive Questions Lead to restricted answers. 2) Insensitive to participants needs to express themselves. 3) Spontaneous questions can be unfair. 4) Bias of interviewer gets involved.

Unstructured Interview 1) It is difficult to replicate such studies.

2)

There is a strong possibility of interviewer bias.

Strengths: Structured Interview 1) Studies can be replicated.

2)

Data is more reliable as the issue being investigated in a consistent way. Data is valid.

3)

Unstructured Interview 1) Flexible, responsive and sensitive to participants.

2)

Relaxed and natural for those taking part.

Thank you